Haunted Echoes

The modern ghost film tends to be a bit dull doesn't it? I don't know how many old classics you fuckwits have watched but I no doubt think you love your modern horrors like the sheep you are. Once upon a time they used to make films that didn't rely on gore or torture but on effect and atmosphere. In my opinion, as humble as it fucking is one of the greatest examples of this is The Haunting. Now lets be clear here I am not referring to the special effect laden bollocks that was the remake but the 1963 Robert Wise directed classic. This film used mainly noise to unbelievable effect. It scared the shit out of me but then I have an imagination and don't need it painted by numbers on the screen in front of me. Sadly because I've seen this it is the film that I judge all ghost story films on. So could Haunted Echoes live up to these expectations?

Haunted Echoes is the story of Guy (David Starzyk) and Laura (Sean young) who as parents have suffered their worst nightmare when their 8 year old daughter Kimberley is abducted from her bedroom and found 10 days later dead having been murdered. Trying to move on with their lives they move into a new house several months later but a series of strange events begins to put a strain on their relationship. Laura begins to see her daughter in the house and the boy who hung himself after being accused of her murder. Strange writing appears on the walls and voices are heard.

Haunted Echoes is directed by Harry Bromley Davenport who if you have a love for B movies like I do then you may remember directed the 80's Sci-Fi classic Xtro. This film starts off pretty well as we see the couple battle with their grief and the fact that Guy does not believe Laura when she says she is seeing strange things. As the film progresses Guy is also affected by the weird goings on. Of course the usual course of action is followed and a psychic is called in to try and get in touch with the spirit. Sadly this pushed the film into the normal type of ghost story. Its obvious from the start that this is low budget and to some effect this actually allows you to forgive some of its inconsistancies. This film is certainly better than removing your tongue with a pair of old scissors.

Is Kimberley trying to tell them something from beyond the grave? Did the lad who hanged himself really commit this henious crime? Why is a Kenneth Monk ringing at all times of night accusing them of ringing him at all hours? They hire a private detective to investigate the background of Monk and as the film builds to its climax we begin to wonder if he is in fact responsible for her death. This film is no Haunting but I think it fairs better than most modern efforts in this genre. By pushing itself away from the normal CGI infected films of modern cinema it manages to become a bit more of a character study and the affect grief can have. Yes budget constraints obviously contributed to this but I was expecting very little from this film so was rather surprised by it. It is by no means perfect and I'm not suggesting that its a masterpiece but as a low budget ghost story it is in fact rather fucking enjoyable. The ending is a little weak and I sometimes think a film like this could serve itself better by leaving some unanswered questions. Overall though you could do alot fucking worse.

Better Than Most Shite Horror Hollywood Has Churned Out In 2009 out of 5